A night shift nurse is assuming a day shift nurse's assignment, which includes two clients whose pain is being controlled with oral hydrocodone (Lortab). At shift assessment, both clients complain of pain
During shift report, the day shift nurse reports that both clients had just received two hydrocodone (Loratab) tablets for pain. What action should the night shift nurse take? 1. Repeat the medication.
2. Inform the manager of the situation.
3. Call the physician to obtain an order for IV narcotics.
4. Tell the clients that pain medication will be given at the next ordered time.
2
Rationale 1: Repeating the medication without further assessment is dangerous.
Rationale 2: While there is no clear indication that the day shift nurse is diverting drugs, the manager must be made aware of the situation so it can be investigated. The nurse and manager must determine if the clients actually received the medication and, if so, what time they were administered.
Rationale 3: Calling the physician with a request for IV narcotics would be dangerous.
Rationale 4: The issue in this situation is whether the clients actually received the medication. Telling the clients that they must wait until the next scheduled time for pain medication is not appropriate pain management.
Global Rationale:
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